Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Department of Housing and Community Development

Project C.O.R.E. Milestones: Removing 4,000 Units Of Blight

Project C.O.R.E. Milestones: Removing 4,000 Units Of Blight

“Fixing what is broken in Baltimore requires that we address the sea of abandoned, dilapidated buildings infecting entire neighborhoods. Together, we will transform these neighborhoods from centers for crime and drugs, to places our city, and our entire state, can be proud of. Working with the private sector to invest in projects like affordable housing, retail, and other new businesses will help ensure that Baltimore becomes a better place to live, work, and retire.”
–  Governor Larry Hogan, January 5, 2016

January 5, 2016: Governor Hogan Launched Project C.O.R.E.

  • Governor Hogan Announces Launch Of Project C.O.R.E., A $700 Million “Unprecedented” Project Focused On Eliminating Blight, Encouraging Redevelopment And Investment In Baltimore City. “Under the new plan, called Project C.O.R.E, the Maryland Stadium Authority will oversee the demolition of vacant structures jointly approved by city and state leaders. About $75 million in state dollars will go to demolition over four years with another $19 million coming from the city. In addition, the state plans to offer about $600 million in financing opportunities from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for redevelopment of the sites, including more than $150 million in the current fiscal year. The spending will go before the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore City Council for approval.” (Luke Broadwater and Yvonne Wenger, “Gov. Hogan Announced $700M Plan To Target Urban Decay In Baltimore,” The Baltimore Sun, 1/5/16)

September 2016: Project C.O.R.E. Demolition Began

  • Two Separate Sites In East And West Baltimore Were Demolished Under Project C.O.R.E., Marking The Beginning Of The First Phase Of Project C.O.R.E. “In partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Baltimore City, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development recently kicked off blight elimination activities under Governor Larry Hogan’s Project C.O.R.E. initiative. In September, demolition of two separate sites in east and west Baltimore took place, marking the official launch of Project C.O.R.E.’s first phase.” (Press Release, “A New Canvas For Baltimore: Project C.O.R.E. Demolition Begins In Baltimore City,”Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development, 10/12/16)

December 9, 2016: Announced Demolition Of Madison Park North Apartments, Additional $16 Million In Demolition Grants For 30 Projects

  • Governor Hogan Announced That “Murder Mall” Would Be Demolished Under Project C.O.R.E.; Property Will Be Transformed To Include New Housing And Retail. “Demolition crews were poised to begin tearing down the Madison Park North apartments in Baltimore Friday morning, but the crowd that had gathered to celebrate the occasion wasn’t cooperating. Onlookers surged toward Gov. Larry Hogan and other speakers, jostling for a glance at the list of the first 30 neighborhood projects to receive grants through the state’s Project CORE demolition program. Organizers pleaded with the people to move back… Hogan was in Baltimore Friday to announce nearly $16 million for 30 projects, including the redevelopment of the Madison Park North site.” (Natalie Sherman, “Maryland Announces $16 Million In Demolition Grants In Community Projects,” The Baltimore Sun, 12/9/16)

October 4, 2017: Hogan Administration Celebrated Over 1,000 Blighted Units Removed Through Project C.O.R.E.

  • Governor Hogan Announced That Through Project C.O.R.E. Over 1,000 Blighted Units Were Removed And That Over $570 Million In Private And Nonprofit Sector Investments Had Been Leveraged. “Gov. Larry Hogan says more than 1,000 blighted, vacant properties have been removed in Baltimore. In a partnership with the city, Hogan said Wednesday 1,154 units have been demolished and 32 have been stabilized for a total of 1,186 units of blight removed through the end of fiscal year 2017…Hogan also says the state has announced winners of nearly $15 million in awards for Project C.O.R.E. demolition and redevelopment funds. Since the initiative started, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has made 65 awards totaling more than $33 million and leveraging nearly $570 million.” (“Hogan: More Than 1,000 Blighted Properties Removed In Baltimore,” Associated Press, 10/4/17)

October 26, 2017: Governor Hogan Announced Walbrook Mill Redevelopment Project

  • Governor Hogan Announced A Plan Under Project C.O.R.E. To Redevelop Walbrook Mill In West Baltimore To Transform The Area To Include New Housing And Retail Options, As Well As Dedicated Space For Future Workforce Development Opportunities. “Walbrook Mill, a five-acre abandoned lumber yard in close proximity to Coppin State University, will be redeveloped in phases, beginning with today’s demolition of a blighted warehouse building… The plan for the site, at full build out, is to include approximately 140 affordable and market rate rental apartments and townhomes, 9,000 square feet of North Ave commercial and retail space, and includes the rehabilitation and reuse of approximately 32,000 square feet of existing lumber warehouse space to be dedicated to workforce development opportunities.” (Press Release, “Governor Larry Hogan Kicks Off Walbrook Mill Redevelopment At Project C.O.R.E. Celebration,” Office Of The Governor, 10/26/17)

March 27, 2018: Governor Hogan Announced The Latest Phase Of Project C.O.R.E.

  • The Latest Phase Of Project C.O.R.E. Designates 500 Properties That Are Considered To Be Contributing Factors To Violent Crime For Priority Demolition. “A new phase of Project C.O.R.E. was announced Tuesday. Project C.O.R.E is a plan to revitalize Baltimore. It includes demolishing vacant and condemned buildings and replacing them with green spaces or redevelopment. The plan was established two years ago. Tuesday Governor Larry Hogan and Mayor Catherine Pugh announced the project’s newest phase which includes expediting the demolition of more than 500 buildings designated as contributing factors to violent crime.” (“500+ Properties To Be Demolished In Baltimore,” WMAR, 3/27/18)

July 2, 2018: Grand Reopening Of Ambrose Kennedy Park

  • “Long-Neglected” Park In Baltimore City’s Johnston Square Received Improvements As A Result Of Project C.O.R.E. Investments. “The revitalization of Ambrose Kennedy Park contributes to the ongoing redevelopment of the Johnston Square neighborhood, including efforts to expand homeownership and a rental opportunities near Greenmount Avenue and Chase Street. DHCD has supported these activities through BRNI and Project C.O.R.E. Project C.O.R.E. – or Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise – is a multi-year initiative to demolish Baltimore’s vacant properties.” (Press Release, “A New Canvas For Baltimore: Ambrose Kennedy Park Revitalizes Recreation In Johnston Square,” Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development, 7/1/18; Fern Shen, “A Long-Neglected Park In Johnston Square Is Finally Getting An Upgrade,”Baltimore Brew, 10/25/17)

October 22, 2018: Roberta’s House Groundbreaking

  • Through Project C.O.R.E, Roberta’s House, A Grief Support Center Received $500,000 For The Acquisition And Demolition Of Vacant And Blighted Properties Located In The Area. “There’s a new center coming to Baltimore to help families of homicide victims. City and community leaders gathered in east Baltimore Sunday for the groundbreaking of the Roberta’s House Bereavement Center. The 22,000 square foot facility will offer grief support services and programs to families impacted by violence.” (Alexa Ashwell, “New Center To Help Victims Of Violence,” Fox Baltimore, 10/21/18; Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development, 2/23/18)   

November 1, 2018: Northwood Commons Groundbreaking

  • A Year Prior, Lt. Governor Rutherford Announced The State’s Financial Support For Redevelopment Of Northwood Commons Through Project C.O.R.E. “More shopping is on the way for Morgan State University students and other residents in the northeast Baltimore area. Ground was broken today on what will become Northwood Commons, replacing the existing Northwood Plaza Shopping Center. The new shopping venue will include a Barnes & Noble college bookstore along with a number of restaurants. The Morgan State University Public Safety Department will also have an office there.” (Bryna Zumer, “Groundbreaking Held For Revamped Northwood Shopping Center,” Fox Baltimore, 11/1/18)

November 1, 2018: Restoration Gardens II Ribbon Cutting

  • Restoration Gardens II, The Second Permanent Housing Facility In Maryland For Homeless Youth Received Project C.O.R.E. Funds. “The  developer of Maryland’s first and only permanent housing facility for homeless youth will soon build another 42 units of supportive housing for some of Baltimore’s most vulnerable residents. With the help of $400,000 from the department’s FY17 Project C.O.R.E. funds, Empire Homes Inc. will begin site preparations for Restoration Gardens 2, to be located on the 4200 block of York Road in the Pen Lucy neighborhood. These new apartments will support Restoration Gardens 1, a 43-unit facility catering to the same population that opened in the Park Heights neighborhood in 2010.” (Press Release, “A New Canvas For Baltimore: Restoration Gardens 2 Will Provide Haven For Homeless Youth,” Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development, 4/12/17; Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development)

June 13, 2019: Governor Hogan Announced That 4,000 Blighted Units Will Be Removed Through Project C.O.R.E.

  • In Addition To The Removal Of 4,000 Blighted Units, Under Project C.O.R.E.:
    • $100 Million Has Been Spent By The State On Demolition Of Blight
    • $420 Million Has Been Provided By The State In Direct Financing For Revitalization And Housing Programs
    • $1.8 Billion Has Been Leveraged In Private, Public, And Philanthropic Dollars Into Baltimore City Neighborhoods (Maryland Department Of Housing And Community Development)

# # #